Marin citizens group takes over China Camp State Park

The keys to China Camp State Park were turned over to a Marin nonprofit group which received an "early entry" permit this week to operate the facility pending final approval by the state Department of General Services.

The move marked a spectacular triumph for Ernest Chung of Kentfield and his group, Friends of China Camp, which was formed just months ago to raise funds to keep the park open following a $22 million budget cut that seemed to doom 70 state parks, including China Camp and three others in Marin.

Chung said Ruth Coleman, director of state parks, signed a three-year operating agreement and issued a permit to Friends of China Camp "which effectively allows us to operate the park immediately." The pact needs awaits final state approval which is considered a formality.

Chung announced the news in an email to supporters, and associates confirmed volunteers have taken over. "We have control of the park now," said Steve Deering of San Rafael, a Friends of China Camp board member. "I have the keys right here in my desk."

Deering, a former federal Medicare and civil rights official, called the journey to save the park "an amazing experience, a wild ride that was successful primarily due to the support of the community."

The group took advantage of AB 42, legislation by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, authorizing the state Department of Parks and Recreation to allow nonprofit organizations to operate state parks that otherwise would close.

Huffman hailed the China Camp operating agreement as a "big milestone that is certainly cause for celebration," but noted fundraising has provided enough for just one year of operation. "How all this translates into revenue and fiscal stability remains a work in progress," he said. "There's going to be lots of adaptive management."

Among uncertainties are whether hikers will pay $2, and bicyclists, $3, at four electronic payment kiosks that will be installed to provide revenue the operating budget counts on.

Supervisor Susan Adams, saying "the Friends of China Camp launched a heroic effort to save a much-loved park," added she hopes "that all of the user groups will be generous in their financial support during this challenging time in the state budget."

In addition, she urged the state to "step up to the plate in the not too distant future and once again embrace its responsibility for these public treasures."

In his email, Chung vividly recalled a meeting last February in which an Independent Journal reporter was "rightfully" skeptical as he sized up "a bunch of unknowns from a tiny organization" with a huge goal, but noted things changed fast as the group grew and support ballooned amid publicity. "What a difference a few months ... have made with the enormous support of the community!" Chung noted.

Chung described the past several months as a "whirlwind" in which his organization swelled from 50 members to 1,400 and raised more than $250,000. "Your grass roots effort has allowed us to become who we are, gain the support of so many organizations and foundations, and extraordinary coverage by the media," Chung told members.

"We are most grateful for the generous financial support of so many foundations and organizations — Arntz Family Foundation, California State Parks Foundation, Freshwind Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Marin Chinese Cultural Association, Marin Community Foundation, and foundations which prefer to remain anonymous — thank you!" Big donors included the California State Parks Foundation, $50,000; Marin Community Foundation, $40,000; and the Marin Chinese Cultural Association, $10,000.

Thomas Peters, head of the Marin Community Foundation, had high praise for the citizens' group, saying, "the foundation is extraordinarily proud that a small but hearty band of community members could so effectively rally the local community to express what many in Sacramento seem to have forgotten, namely that these parks are our legacy and our responsibility."

County parks officials shared that sentiment. "We applaud the Friends of China Camp for their incredible accomplishment," said Linda Dahl, county parks chief. "We wish them the best and look forward to continuing the great partnership we enjoyed with the state in managing a very complex park, which ranges from critically important salt marsh and wetlands to a treasured mountain bike trails system."

Terms of the operating agreement include:

 Friends of China Camp will operate the facility for three years, and the agreement may be renewed through 2017.

 All facilities, including camping, picnic sites, museum, trails and beach will be open every day of the year.

 Friends of China Camp will contract with the state to provide one ranger, one maintenance worker, two park aides, and two seasonal maintenance workers for a professional staff augmented by volunteers.

 All fees collected will be managed and used by the friends group for the park operation.

 The existing concessions, including the café and a few buildings in the historic village, will remain under the control of the state.

In addition, the agreement established a financial plan calling for an annual budget of up to $526,000 for labor, repair and contingencies, and a first-year $95,000 capital expense plan for signs, electronic pay stations, new campsites, viewing stations and equipment. Fees are expected to generate up to $300,000 a year and fundraising another $300,000. "We are still far short of our goal of raising $95,000 for our capital improvement program," Chung reported.

So far, all four Marin state parks targeted for closure — China Camp, Olompali, Samuel P. Taylor and Tomales Bay — remain open. Volunteers continue to develop plans for Olompali, and Taylor and Tomales Bay were saved following agreements with federal land managers.